Friend at Court - Intercollegiate Tennis Association

6. SCORE IN A SET
There are different methods of scoring in a set. The two main methods are the
“Advantage Set” and the “Tie-break Set”. Either method may be used provided that
the one to be used is announced in advance of the event. If the “Tie-break Set”
method is to be used, it must also be announced whether the final set will be played
as a “Tie-break Set” or an “Advantage Set”.
USTA Comment: USTA Regulation I.E.1.a. prohibits the playing of
“Advantage Sets.”
a. “Advantage Set”
The first player/team to win six games wins that “Set”, provided there is a
margin of two games over the opponent(s). If necessary, the set shall
continue until this margin is achieved.
b. “Tie-break Set”
The first player/team to win six games wins that “Set”, provided there is a
margin of two games over the opponent(s). If the score reaches six games
all, a tie-break game shall be played.
Additional approved alternative scoring methods can be found in Appendix IV.
7. SCORE IN A MATCH
A match can be played to the best of 3 sets (a player/team needs to win 2 sets to
win the match) or to the best of 5 sets (a player/team needs to win 3 sets to win the
match).
Additional approved alternative scoring methods can be found in Appendix IV.
8. SERVER & RECEIVER
The players/teams shall stand on opposite sides of the net. The server is the player
who puts the ball into play for the first point. The receiver is the player who is ready
to return the ball served by the server.
Case 1: Is the receiver allowed to stand outside the lines of the court?
Decision: Yes. The receiver may take any position inside or outside the lines on the
receiver’s side of the net.
9. CHOICE OF ENDS & SERVICE
The choice of ends and the choice to be server or receiver in the first game shall
be decided by toss before the warm-up starts. The player/team who wins the toss
may choose:
a. To be server or receiver in the first game of the match, in which case the
opponent(s) shall choose the end of the court for the first game of the match;
or
b. The end of the court for the first game of the match, in which case the
opponent(s) shall choose to be server or receiver for the first game of the
match; or
c. To require the opponent(s) to make one of the above choices.
Case 1: Do both players/teams have the right to new choices if the warm-up is
stopped and the players leave the court?
Decision: Yes. The result of the original toss stands, but new choices may be made
by both players/teams.
8 RULES OF TENNIS